The Beaux-Stratagem: A comedy in five acts — John Shaqi
The Beaux-Stratagem: A comedy in five actsFarquhar, George
General
The Beaux-Stratagem: A comedy in five acts
Farquhar, George
Comedy plays; English drama (Comedy)
_Dor._ That he would go round the back way, come into the closet, and
listen, as I directed him.--But let me beg once more, dear sister, to
drop this project; for, as I told you before, instead of awaking him to
kindness, you may provoke him to rage; and then who knows how far his
brutality may carry him?
_Mrs. Sul._ I'm provided to receive him, I warrant you; away! [_Exeunt._
ACT THE FOURTH.
SCENE I.
_A Gallery in_ LADY BOUNTIFUL'S _House_.
_Enter_ LADY BOUNTIFUL _and_ MRS. SULLEN, DORINDA _meeting them_.
_Dor._ News, dear sister, news, news!
_Enter_ ARCHER, _running_.
_Arch._ Where, where is my Lady Bountiful?----Pray which is the old lady
of you three?
_Lady B._ I am.
_Arch._ O madam, the fame of your ladyship's charity, goodness,
benevolence, skill, and ability, have drawn me hither, to implore your
ladyship's help in behalf of my unfortunate master, who is at this
moment breathing his last.
_Lady B._ Your master! where is he?
_Arch._ At your gate, madam: drawn by the appearance of your handsome
house, to view it nearer, and walking up the avenue, within five paces
of the courtyard, he was taken ill of a sudden, with a sort of I know
not what: but down he fell, and there he lies.
_Lady B._ Here, Scrub, Gipsey.
_Enter_ SCRUB _and_ GIPSEY.
All run, get my easy-chair down stairs, put the gentleman in it, and
bring him in quickly, quickly.
_Arch._ Heaven will reward your ladyship for this charitable act.
_Lady B._ Is your master used to these fits?
_Arch._ O yes, madam, frequently--I have known him have five or six of a
night.
_Lady B._ What's his name?
_Arch._ Lord, madam, he's dying; a minute's care or neglect may save or
destroy his life.
_Lady B._ Ah, poor gentleman! come, friend, show me the way; I'll see
him brought in myself. [_Exit with_ ARCHER.
_Dor._ Oh, sister, my heart flutters about strangely; I can hardly
forbear running to his assistance.
_Mrs. Sul._ And I'll lay my life he deserves your assistance more than
he wants it: did not I tell you that my lord would find a way to come
at you? Love's his distemper, and you must be the physician; put on
all your charms, summon all your fire into your eyes, plant the whole
artillery of your looks against his breast, and down with him.
_Dor._ O, sister, I'm but a young gunner, I shall be afraid to shoot,
for fear the piece should recoil, and hurt myself.
_Mrs. Sul._ Never fear, you shall see me shoot before you, if you will.
_Dor._ No, no, dear sister, you have missed your mark so unfortunately,
that I shan't care for being instructed by you.
_Enter_ AIMWELL, _in a Chair, carried by_ ARCHER _and_
SCRUB; LADY BOUNTIFUL, GIPSEY. AIMWELL _counterfeiting a
Swoon_.
_Lady B._ Here, here, let's see--the hartshorn drops--Gipsey, a glass
of fair water, his fit's very strong.--Bless me, how his hands are
clenched!
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